Speaking up for those who do not speak

On Labor Day, Patrick J. Oneill from Massena left his 2-year-old black Labrador locked inside a vehicle parked at the State Fair. Temperatures hovered at a hundred degrees. More than four hours passed.

Concerned fairgoers and a State Trooper made a valiant effort to save the animal, a female named Ali, but their first aid came too late.

Oneill, 66, was charged with animal cruelty and failure to provide sustenance, a misdemeanor under the Agriculture & Markets laws. Turns out he was already accused of mistreating 22 horses he owned in Massena.

When Oneill was arraigned on the new charge on Sept. 16 in Town of Geddes Court, he was greeted by a dozen animal advocates including members of the Animal Alliance of Greater Syracuse. Among the protestors was Deedee Dillingham, who lives in Liverpool.

“I’m outraged that yet another dog suffered and died at the hands of an alleged serial animal abuser,” Dillingham wrote to me in an email. “In Ali’s case, the dog who died from being left in extreme heat in the car at the New York State Fair suffered immensely before she passed away. Although this extreme form of abuse unfortunately falls under neglect, a misdemeanor, we believe that since the dog died a torturous death after being left in the car for hours on purpose, the charge should be bumped up to aggravated cruelty, which is a felony.

“Overall, our animal-cruelty laws need to be strengthened, and they need to be enforced. We also need animal-cruelty laws to move out of Agriculture & Markets and into the penal code.”

Sadly, she says, Ali’s death is anything but unusual.

“Animal abuse is rampant and ubiquitous, and it continues to be an epidemic,” Deedee wrote. “Advocates are trying to raise awareness of animal cruelty, raise the level of consciousness, promote compassion towards animals and be the voice for those who cannot speak for themselves.”

Oneill pleaded not guilty before Geddes Justice Daniel Matthews III. If convicted, he faces a maximum penalty of a year in jail and a $1,000 fine.

For info, visit animalallianceofgreatersyracuse.org/.

Time is on our side

A big blue sky shone down over more than two dozen folks who turned out on Sept. 18 to officially dedicate the new Victorian style village clock at Washington Park Point.

Jack Fisher, the construction-company owner who brainstormed the $32,000 project, welcomed supporters such as Mike and Heather Hennigan from Nichols Supermarket, Liverpool Mayor Gary White, Salina Town Supervisor Mark Nicotra, First Ward Town Councilor and Liverpool Is The Place Chairwoman Colleen Gunnip, village clerks Mary Ellen Sims and Sandy Callahan, village public works Supervisor Bill Asmus, Police Chief Don Morris and Officer Jerry Unger.

In speaking to the news media, Liverpool Trustee Dennis Hebert said the clock represents “a real welcoming to our village and something that will last for a number of years.” Make that decades, Dennis!

Big Book Sale gala

Liverpool Public Library’s Really Big Book Sale returns Friday, Saturday and Sunday, at Liverpool Elementary School, 910 Second St. (Route 370). Early birds will want to shell out $20 to attend the Gators’ Gala Reception from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, featuring music by acoustic duo Two Feet Short. On Saturday morning from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. more early birds will become bookworms for $10, although those fees don’t cover the cost of the used books and other media.

Regular hours will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday followed by a bag sale from noon to 3 p.m. Sunday; lpl.org; 457-0310.

The next night, Saturday, Sept. 28, Ben Fiore will blend alternative rock and hip-hop along with percussionist Zach Hayes and multi-instrumentalist Ryan Burns. The Fiore trio returns to the Lizard Oct. 4 and Oct. 19.

Admission is free at the Limp Lizard, and the ribs are right on; 451-9774.

Café is cookin’

Over at Café at 407 at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, Donna Colton will sing classic rock and blues tunes. On Saturday evenings, Maria DeSantis hosts a lively session featuring musicians from her band often including vocalist Keith Condon, a Liverpool native.

Admission is free at Café at 407, located at 407 Tulip St., but please drop a few bills in the musicians’ tip jar; 451-5544; opheliasplace.org.